By Jerry Ratcliffe
Virginia boasts three of the top 20 freshmen in the nation, according to the Bayesian Performance Rating via EvanMiya.com, an analysis-driven website dedicated to college hoops.
The BPR measures overall player value using box score stats, advanced on-off plus-minus data, along with historical information. Preseason projections largely come from recruiting rankings.
Guard Chance Mallory, a home-grown player from Charlottesville’s St. Anne’s-Belfield, actually is Virginia’s highest-rated freshman in the rankings. Mallory, who comes off the bench to add a spark of energy, is ranked No. 9 among all freshmen in the nation with a 6.73 rating (Duke’s Cameron Boozer is rated No. 1 with a 12.78). Mallory’s preseason rank was No. 43, so a plus-34 improvement in the formula.
Belgium’s Thijs De Ridder, a 24-year-old freshman with two years of eligibility, is No. 17 in the rankings with a 5.92 rating. He was No. 21 in the preseason, so an improvement of plus-4.
Germany’s Johann Grünloh, a 7-foot center, is No. 19 with a 5.69. Grunloh was No. 31 in the preseason ratings, so a plus-12 improvement.
